Tape dispenser



Janl'l 3 'I959 J. H. PERRY 2,868,402

' TAPE DISPENSER Fi led May 29, l958 J. H. PERRY BY W ' ATTORNEYj United States Patent TAPE DEPENSER J. H. Perry, Washington, I). C.

Application May 29, 1958, Serial No. 738,903

13 Claims. (Cl. 216-29) (Granted under Title 35, U.-S. Codetl952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates ingeneral to an article dispenser and in particular to animproved tape dispenser.

The prior art discloses a wide variety of tape dispensers for varying applications. Many of these dispensers, hav ing the tape feed and guide rolls in a container and a cutting device attached thereto, cannot be used to apply tape continuously but instead require interrupting operation during the measurement of the length of tape needed to complete the application of tape along a given line. The prior dispensers are not capable of being guided along a straight edge so that a precisely straight line of tape can be drawn. In using the prior dispensers to apply tape along a straight or curved path itis necessary to cut a length of tape sufiicient to complete the path and then use both hands in applyingthe tape. When tape is applied in a curved path, application by hand is not effective in producing adherence to the Working surface. Although one dispenser in the prior art can be used to apply tape along a curved path, it has the serious limitation of applying the tape under undue tension, thereby causing it to creep from the curved path, and the further limitation of not providingmeansfor cutting the tape to a desired length during its application. Other examples of defects in prior art dispensers, which the present invention corrects, are ditficulty in holding the. dispenser and applying tape directly from the supply roll or the final guide roller, and diificulty in loading, assembling and re-threading.

Accordingly, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a tape dispenser which may be used in applying tape along a straight path or along a variety of curved paths with minimum tension in the tape.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tape dispenser which can be operated With one hand leaving the other hand free to perform correlative functions, e. g., steadying the Working surface while applying tape.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dispenserfor applying tape continuously to a desired tel-minating point without the necessity of measuring by independent means the length of tape needed to complete an application. V

A furtherobject of the present inventionis to provide in a tape dispenser a cutter that maybe actuated, without interrupting the application of tape, to partially sever the tape at a length necessary to complete an application.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon a careful consideration of the following description When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. i shows an isometric View, partly in section, of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. Zis a planview,.partly in section,.of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1-.

i Fig. 3 shows a plan view, without sectioning, of that part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 including the knurled portion and the dispensing section.

Fig. 4 isan isometric view of the cutting arm with cutting blade.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the adapter.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a tape dispenser is provided in which tape is fed from a roll mounted at one endof the dispenser on a rotatable tape holder, over a guide roller, past a cutting blade, which is positioned to partially sever the tape when actuated, and over a pressure roller at the other end'of the dispenser. A guide plateispositioned onthe dispenser to indicate when the blade should be actuated during an application of tape to provide a-length of tape necessary to complete the application along a given line. In -a preferred embodiment, tape is fed from the supply roll to the dispensing section through a narrow slot and the guide roller is positioned-tangent to the centerline of the slot so that the slot need be only slightly Wider than thc thickness of the tape.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, body 10 has tape supporting means at one end and a dispensing section at the other end. The tape supporting means includes removable plates 11 and 12, plate 11 having a raised core 13 integral with the plate. Both plates are held in place on extension 1401 1116 body by screwddwhidhhasa smooth upper shaft about which the plates and tape roll-may rotate freely as a unit. The extension 14 has a hole threaded to accommodate screw 15, the screw having a shoulder which limits penetration into the hole. The suriaces of the plates 11 and 12, which contact the roll of tape, may be coated with Teflon toreduce the amount of sticking between the tape and the surfaces of; the plates. It is understood, however, that other conventional types of tape holders could be used'to replace plate 11, Core 13 and plate 12, and that other types of material may-be employed to reduce sticking between the roll of tape and the plates.

The dispensing section is the portion of body 10 to the right of line XX, shown in Fig.2, and includes rollers 16, 17 and 18 which are mounted on shafts 19, 20 and 21, respectively. The body 10 has a knurled lower po'r-L tion 23 and a slot 22 extending from plates 11 and 12 to the dispensing section. Slot 22 runs a'longthe centerline of the body to apoint slightly to the left of line X -X where one side of the slot departs from the centerline at an acute angle and the other side merges into the open space about rollers 16, 17 and 181. Rollerldis so mounted that the periphery of the roller is tangent to the centerline of slot 22. The diameter of roller 16 is smaller than that of rollers 17 and 18 to reduce tension in. the tape by presenting a minimum surface? for the tape to adhere to in passing over the roller. Thesmalllsize of roller 16 permits the dispensing section to be made nearly as small in diameter as a standard pencil; Roller 13 has a rigid core and a resilient outer layer through which pressureis 'applied equally across the width of the tape.

Referring to Fig-3, it is noted that the outer surface of the guide plate 29 is flat and smooth, and is flush with the periphery 'ofthe body 10 thereby permitting the guide plate to slide along a straight edge or other guide surface so as to apply a line of tape duplicating the straight edge or guide surface.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, cutting blade 24 is an integral part of cutting arm 25 i which has a grooved "surface 26 where pressure may be applied. The cutting arm pensing section and is so constructed that the distance from the axis of roller 18 to indicating edge 30 of the guide plate is substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of roller 18 furthest from the cutting blade. When the tape is led along slot 22, over roller 16, and under rollers 17 and 18, as indicated below, and cutting arm 25 is actuated, the tape is only partially severed where the cutting blade strikes against roller 17 since the blade, in the preferred embodiment, is made shorter in length than the width of the tape. It is understood, however, that the tape may be partially severed in any of several ways, e. g., by cutting along a line perpendicular to the edges and severing one or none of the edges, or by cutting along a line which intersects the edges at an acute or obtuse angle and severing one or none of the edges.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, trammel 40 has mounted on it conventional pivot arm 41 and adapter 42. The adapter has an aperture 43 into which the body of the dispenser is positioned, and an aperture 44 which fits over trammel 40. The body 10 is secured in adapter 42 by lock screw 45.

Prior to operation, a roll of tape 31 is inserted over core 13 on plate 11 with its sticky side facing cutting blade 24, the tape first being unrolled so that its'free end extends clear of the circumference of plate 11. Plate 12 is positioned opposite plate 11 on core 13 and both plates are aligned over. the threaded hole in extension 14 and secured by screw 15. Then, a length of tape is drawn out and the end passed through the space between rollers 16 and 17. The tape is aligned over and fitted into the slot, being held sufiiciently taut to reduce to a mini mum its sticking to the sides of the slot. The tape is adhered to roller 16 and tension is applied until the tape is parallel to the sides of the slot. Finally, the end of the tape is led under rollers 17 and 18, its non-sticky side being adjacent to the rollers, and is ready to be applied to a working surface.

In applying the tape, e. g., along a curved line AB, the free end is adhered at point A and pressure is applied to the tape through roller 18 as the dispenser is run along the line to point B. Resilient roller 18 distributes pressure equally across the width of the tape, and small guide roller 16 together with the freely rotating tape holder produce a minimum of tension in the tape thereby greatly reducing the tendency of the tape to crawl or creep after application. When indicating edge 30 of guide plate 29 is at point B, cutting arm 25 is firmly depressed, partially severing the tape. The dispenser is then held above the working surface and moved toward and past point B where the tape is broken by pressing the adhered tape firmly with one hand and simultaneously with the other hand holding the cutting arm depressed and moving the tape dispenser away from point B. It is important to note that the tape is not partially severed when held by sufiicient pressure on the cutting arm to merely stop the unreeling of tape when it is being broken to end an application. The short end of the tape, not adhering to the working surface, is applied to the surface by hand pressure, While the free end extending over roller 18 may be employed in starting the next application of tape.

' In using the second embodiment shown in Fig. 5 to apply tape along an arc, the tape dispenser is fitted into adapter 42 which in turn is mountedon the trammel 40. The pivot arm 41 on the trammel is positioned at the center of the arc, the dispenser is positioned on the arc, and tape is applied along the arc in the same manner described above in connection with the first embodiment. It is noted that in either embodiment only one hand is needed to both guide the dispenser and apply pressure to the tape, and further, that the length of tape required to reach a given point in an application is constantly indicated without disturbing operation of the dispenser.

In summary, there is provided by the present invention a novel device for accurately indicating during operation the total length of tape required and for rapidly applying the tape in a straight or curved path under low tension and equal pressure.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible pursuant to the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is: p

1. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and dispensing section at the other end, means located between said first mentioned means and said dispensing section for guiding tape from said first mentioned means to the dispensing section, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, and means located on said dispensing section for indicating the distance between the cutting blade when actuated and the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

2. A tape dispenser comprising a body having an extension at one end and a dispensing section at the other end, means for holding a roll of tape, means for rotatably mounting the first mentioned means on said extension, means located between the extension and the dispensing section for guiding tape from said first mentioned means to the dispensing section, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, and means located on said dispensing section for indicating the distance between the cutting blade when actuated and the point on'the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

3. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, and means located on said dispensing section for indicating the distance between the cutting blade when actuated and the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

4. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, and means located on said dispensing section for indicating the distance between the cutting blade when actuated and the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

5. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, means located between said first mentioned means and said dispensing section for guiding tape from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensingsection, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge fromthe axis of rotation of said pressure roller being subs antia ly equal to tbs-dis an e f om th utt ng base when aetu atedto the point on the circumference of the pressureroller. furthest from the cutting blade.

tapedispenser comprising a body having means at, one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensi g section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

7. An applicator comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade, a pivot arm, a trammel, and means for mounting said body and said pivot arm on the trammel.

8. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said siot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axls of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

9. A tape dispenser comprising a body formed with an extension at one end and a dispensing section at the other end, a first plate having a raised core for receiving a roll of tape, a second plate located on said raised core opposite the first plate, means for rotatably mounting said first plate and said second plate on said extension, a slot in said body extending from said extension to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, means including a cutting blade located on the dispensing section for partially severing the tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, 2. pressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide platelocated in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure rollerbeing substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade hsn s u t d n he point on e ci sum srssc Qtth pressure roller furthest from the cutting b lade,

10. A tape dispenser comprising a body. having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, an arm located on the dispensing section with a cutting blade located therein, the cutting blade having a length less than the width of the tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide, a striking surface for said cutting blade, apressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

11. A tape dispenser comprising a body having means at one end for holding a roll of tape and a dispensing section at the other end, a slot in said body extending from the first mentioned means to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, an arm located on the dispensing section with a cutting blade located therein, the cutting blade having a length less than the width of the tape and the arm positioned to impinge the blade on a line perpendicular to and equidistant from the edges of said tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, a pressure roller located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

12. A. tape dispenser comprising a body formed with an extension at one end and a dispensing section at the other end, a first plate having a raised core for receiving a roll of tape, a second plate located on said raised core' opposite the first plate, means for rotatably mounting said first plate and said second plate on said extension, a slot in said body extending from said extension tothe dispensing section, a guide roller positioned on said dispensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, an arm located on the dispensing section with a cutting blade located therein, the cutting blade having a length less than the width of the tape and the arm positioned to impinge the blade on a line perpendicular to and equidistant from the edges of said tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, a pressure roller having a resilient outer layer and a rigid core located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section having an indicating edge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of the indicating edge from the axis of rotation of said pressure roller being substantially equal to the distance from the cutting blade when actuated to the point on the circumference of the pressure roller furthest from the cutting blade.

13. An applicator comprising a body formed with an extension at one end and a dispensing section at the other end, a first plate having a raised core for receiving a roll of tape, a second plate located on said raised core 0pposite the first plate, means for rotatably mounting said first plate and said second plate on said extension, a slot in said body extending from said extension to the dispensing section, a guide roller positioned. on said dis- 7 pensing section so that the centerline of said slot is tangent to the guide roller, an arm located on the dispensing section with a-cutting-blade located therein, the cutting blade having a length less than the Width of the tape and the arm positioned to impinge the blade on a line perpendicular to and equidistant from the edges of said tape, a cutting roller positioned in said dispensing section to provide a striking surface for said cutting blade, at pressure roller having a resilient outer layer and a rigid core located on the dispensing section, a guide plate located in said dispensing section and having an indicating'ed'ge, said indicating edge being the surface of the guide plate furthest from the body, the distance of References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,737 Burns Jan. 10, 1950 2,763,393 Gill et a1 Sept. 18, 1956 2,846,106 Costiglone Aug. 5, 1958 

